Abstract
Adolescent violence is a significant public health problem. The goal of this evaluation was to determine whether communication skills, relationships with adults, and relationships with peers were enhanced through participating in an after-school program aimed at reducing violence-related behaviors among urban middle school youth. Elements that helped to foster success among our population were providing a program that enabled consistent choice in recreational activities in a safe place, and also providing busing home to increase safety. A non-experimental study was conducted with 115 students who participated in the program. Bivariate, ANOVA analysis, and Kruskal–Wallis tests were carried out. Results indicated that participating in the program significantly impacted student relationships with adults and their peers as well as positively impacted their communication skills. The program was designed with purposeful activities that would address pro-social behaviors, enhance youth interest, and increase attendance. The program specifically used recreation to help foster relationships with their peers and the adults in the program, with the intention of reducing conflict, and therefore violence among the students.
Highlights
IntroductionThe impact of violence goes beyond the students directly impacted to include their families, school peers, and the community in which they live (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2019a; CDC, 2019b)
Youth Violence BehaviorsAdolescent violence is a significant public health problem
The described after-school program possesses characteristics that enhanced its success with the participating youth
Summary
The impact of violence goes beyond the students directly impacted to include their families, school peers, and the community in which they live (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2019a; CDC, 2019b). The violence behaviors can be committed by an adolescent or against an adolescent and include actions such as assault by physical force or by weapon as well as bullying. These actions can occur in school or community settings, including the youth’s home (CDC, 2019a; Children's Safety Network, 2017). With high prevalence of violence seen among adolescents in high school, prevention programs need to start earlier – at least by middle school – to lessen violence as adolescents age
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